FIFA Council Set to Approve the 2026 New World Cup Format

The council of the body governing football in the world FIFA is set to approve the new format of the World Cup which will commence in 2026.

The Athletic confirmed that 108 matches will be played at the World Cup as against the 64 games in the previous edition of the competition. 48 teams will be granted qualification for the tournament and the countries will be divided into 12 groups of four teams each.

The two top teams will qualify to the next round of the competition alongside the eight best third-placed teams. The qualified countries will advance to the Round of 32 for a knock-out stage.

Football's governing body will confirm the plans at a FIFA Council meeting on Tuesday in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, where chiefs have assembled for their annual congress on Thursday. 

The competition will be hosted in USA, Canada, and Mexico.